Implement for feeding electrical currents



-March 29, 1949. 'M, A, H MILTON 465,722

IMPLEMENT FOR FEEDING ELECTRICAL GURRENTS Filed May 2, 1946 fed.

Patented Mar. 29, 1949 IMPLEMENT FOR FEEDING ELECTRICAL GURRENTS Mahlon A. Hamilton, Valley Stream, N. Y. Application May 2,1946, Serial No. 666,612

This invention relates to implements for feeding electrical current to devices equipped with an electrical conductor.

More particularly, the invention relates to implements for feeding electrical energy controlled particularly in time period, includin a time period of definitely short duration. For example, in my copending application Ser. No. 609,855, filed August 9, 1945, now abandoned, entitled Production of sealingly jointed plastic objects, I disclose a method of producing a sealed joinder between contiguous thermoplastic surfaces by autogenous welding action of an electrical resistance disposed between such surfaces. The electrical resistance element may be a loop of resistance-type wire the terminals of which project outwardly from between such contiguous surfaces, in mutually spaced relationship, for connection with a source of electricity.

The device of my present invention is' essentially a hand-manipulated tool, and serves admirably for feeding electrical energy into such electrical heating circuit.

An object of the invention is to provide a device which will expeditiously furnish temporary yet positive electrical interconnection between a source of electricity and a utility circuit, enabling an operator to substantially instantaneously break the feed circuit as required.

An object is to provide such device for direct application to and for the feeding of electricity to a high resistance heating circuit, the terminals engaged by the device being a portion of the high resistance electrical conductor of the heating circuit.

An object is to provide the device in the form of an easily manipulated hand tool which may be conveniently carried from place to place by a workman.

An object is to provide such a device of simple and. economical construction.

A feature in the attainment of the above and other objects resides in the provision of clamping jaws arranged for hand manipulation, the jaws being equipped with spaced electrical contacts positioned to work against respectively opposing neutral beds in the ripping for limited time periods under positive clamping pressure and positive manual control of projecting terminals of an electrical circuitinto which electrical energy is to be A further featureresides in the provision of heat resistant pads on said neutral beds to accommodate terminal portionsof a high resistance heating conductor.

5 Claims. (c1. nae-27s) These and other objects and features of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodirnents and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective View, partly in section, of one embodiment of the invention, shown in position preparatory for use;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating diagrammatically one manner of feeding electricity to a high resistance heatin circuit of a type disclosed in my above referred to copending application Ser.

'No. 609,855, the device itself being drawn to a reduced scale;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a preliminary stage of positioning the terminals of an electrical circuit with respect to the contact plates of the device;

Fig. 5 is a similar view at an advanced stage, showin the device in clamped position with respect to the received circuit terminals;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view corresponding to that of Fig. 1, but on a reduced scale, of another embodiment of the device;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section taken on line 'l-'l of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken on'line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings: the embodiment of the invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5 comprises two similarly formed but oppositely disposed jaws IEI, [0, the body of each of which may advantageously be molded of a plastic material possessing adequate strength and rigidity and good electrical insulating characteristics, for example the thermosetting plastic, preferably of the phenolic types. Each jaw has a clamping lip member Illa and rearwardly extending ears mo, I022. The two jaws are shown hinged together at the rear, as for example by the hinges l l, l I, which are secured to corresponding ears of the respective jaws. A spring l2 normally holds the lips Illa, lfla apart, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

Each jaw has a longitudinal passage l3 extending from the rear, between the ears I01), I02), to the intersection with a transverse binding-post opening I4 provided in the lip member lfla, such passage serving to accommodate one or the other of the two leads I 5 and I6, connected with the electrical supply lines. 'Ihe opening 14 extends completely through the lip member, terminating in a channel adapted to receive an inset, preferably flush with theinner face of the lip member, an electrical contact plate H of suitable electrically conductive metal, ordinarily copper. The opening 14 has an outer countersunk portion which is adapted to receive a screw l9 of electrically conductive material, see Fig. 2, which threads into the contact plate I! and serves as a binding-post for making electrical connection with the end of either the lead l5 or the lead It, as the case may be. The screw I9 cinches down tightly upon the said end of the lead, pressing it against the shoulder of the countersunk portion of opening l4 and securing the contact plate I! in its insert position.

are respectively connected to the contact plates It is noted that the contact plates l1, ll of device, and are separated by an intermediate zone of insulation. Each contact plate I! has its own 32, 32 by means of the screws 35, 35, of electrically conducting material which extend through the countersunk openings 36, 36 provided in the clamping block insert 28, of insulating material,

7 and the jaw 25 which carries it, the leads passindividual zone of action, being opposed by an Y insulated bed portion, whereby upon closing the jaws of the device upon the protruding terminals of an electrical circuit into which electricity is to be fed, typified in Fig. 5, each contact plate I! engages its corresponding terminal and establishes electrical connection independently of, though simultaneously with, the other contact plate. Thus, the feed circuit is completed through the circuit to be fed. When the device is manually held in clamped position upon the terminals of the latter circuit, the feed being through one of the electrical contacts I! and the return through the other.

In instances where the device is to be used to feed electricity to a heating circuit embodying a high resistance conductor, the connection being established directly with the conductor, as is the case in the method disclosed by my aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 609,855, as typified in the herein Fig. 3, it is desirable that heat resistant pads be positioned in the lip members Illa, l0a directly opposite to and within the zone of action of the respective electrical contacts l1, l1, serving as the neutral beds against which the engaged terminals may be pressed by the respective contact plates.

Thus, heat resistant pads l8, [8 may be advantageously inset into the respective lip members Illa, Illa, and. secured in place by respective screws l9, I9, see Fig. 2, working in respective countersunk openings 20, in the same manner previously described with respect to the contact plates ll, I1. Such pads l8, l8 may be of metal or other suitable heat resistant material. They have no significance electrically, serving merely to protect the main beds of insulating material, constituting the respective lip members of the jaws l0, ID, from the heat generated by the high resistance conductor, as in the instance of the high resistance conductor 2Ia employed in autogenously fusing the thermoplastic parts of the illustrated casket 2|.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, pursuant to which the jaws 25, are stamped to shape from sheet metal or sheet material, and are of channel formation. Ear members 25a, 25a and 25a, 25a, extending integrally from the rear ends of the respective jaws, serve to journal a pin 26 which forms a pivot upon which the jaws hinge, and inwardly directed flanges 25b, 25b,-

which latter serve to mount a spring '2'! which normally maintains the jaws in open position.

The outward ends of the respective jaws are arranged for the reception of clamping block inserts 28 and 29, respectively, formed of any ing through the channel of the jaw and through apertures 31 suitably provided in the block 28, see Fig. 8. In this instance, the contact plates have been inset in the block 28 during the molding operation, and are wedge-shaped, as shown, to anchor them securely in place.

Similarly inset in the clamping block insert 29 are heat-resistant pads 38, 38, which cooperate with the respective contact plates 32, 32 of the jaw 28 in the gripping of the respective leads of the resistance circuit. Such heat-resistant pads provide, in conjunction with the insulating block 29 itself, respective neutral beds lying opposite the contact plates.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5 and the embodiment of Figs. 6, '7 and 8, it is desirable that guide means be provided to insure against sidewise slipping or strain of the respective jaws during the gripping operation thereof. Accordingly, in the embodiment of Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, complementary tongue and groove formations 10c, Hid and H10, Hid are molded into the respective lip members Illa, Mia, and in the embodiment of Figs. 6, 7 and 8, similar complementary tongue and groove formations 28a, 29b and 28b, 29a are molded into the clamping insert blocks 28 and 29.

The embodiments of the invention when applied to a heating circuit such as typified in Fig. 3 should be used in conjunction with a voltage step-down transformer when the electrical supply is of the conventional volts or higher, to thereby provide a heating current of approximately 12 volts.

While heat-resistant pads embedded in a molded plastic block structure are employed in the illustrated embodiment, the entire block structure, particularly in the embodiment of Figs. 6, 7 and 8, may be formed of a heat-resistant material, such as certain types of glass, the pads as such being thus eliminated.

Whereas this invention has been illustrated and described with respect to certain preferred specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood that various changes may be made in said embodiments and various other forms of the invention may be constructed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and generic purview of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for the feeding of electrical energy to a utility circuit, comprising a pair of J aws pivoted to one another at their rearward ends for clamping action, the said jaws being formed of thermosetting plastic and having respective clamping lip members; resilient means disposed inwardly of and intermediate the ends or said Jaw members serving to urge said jaws apart, separating said lip members; spaced electrical contacts insulatedly carried by said lip members at their respective opposite free ends; electrically insulated beds carried by said lip members in direct opposition to the respective electrical contacts, whereby terminals of a utility circuit may be gripped by said device, making individual electrical contact with the respective electrical contacts of said lip members; and means for connecting electricity supply leads to the respective electrical contacts.

2. A device for the feeding of electrical energy to a utility circuit, comprising a pair of jaws pivoted to one another at their rearward ends for clampin action, the said jaws bein formed of thermosetting plastic and having respective clamping lip members; resilient means disposed inwardly of and intermediate the ends of said jaw members serving to urge said jaws apart, separatin said lip members; spaced electrical contacts insulatedly carried by said lip members at their respective opposite free ends; electrically insulated and heat resistant flat beds carried by said lip members in direct opposition to the respective electrical contacts, whereby terminals of a utility circuit may be gripped by said device, making individual electrical contact with the respective electrical contacts of said lip members;

and means for connecting electricity supply leads to the respective electrical contacts.

3. A device for hand manipulation in the feeding of electrical energy to a utility circuit, com prising a pair of jaws pivoted to one another at their rearward ends for a clamping action, the said jaws being formed of thermosetting plastic and having respective clamping lip members; resilient means disposed inwardly of and intermediate the ends of said jaw member serving to urge said jaws apart, separating said lip members; spaced electrical flat contacts insulatedly carried by said lip members at their respective opposite free ends; electrically insulated flat beds carried by said lip members in direct opposition to the respective electrical contacts, whereby terminals of a utility circuit may be gripped by hand manipulation of said device, making individual electrical contact with the respective electrical contacts of said lip members; and means for connecting electricity supply leads to the respective electrical contacts.

4. A device for hand manipulation in the feeding of electricity to a utility circuit, comprising a pair of jaws pivoted to one another at their rearward ends for clamping action, the said jaws being formed of thermose-tting plastic and having respective clamping lip members of electrically insulating material; resilient means disposed inwardly of and intermediate the ends of said jaw members serving to urge said jaws apart, separating said lip members; spaced electrical fiat contact plates secured to said lip members by binding post means; heat resistant fiat pads secured to said lip members in direct opposition to the respective electrical contact plates, forming flat beds, whereby terminal ends of a high resistance heating conductor may be gripped by hand manipulation of said device, making individual electrical contact with the respective electrical contact plates of said lip members; and means for connecting electricity suply leads to the respective binding post means.

5. A device for hand manipulation in the feeding of electrical energy to a utility circuit, comprising a pair of jaws pivoted to one another at their rearward ends for clamping action, the said jaws being formed of sheet material and having respective clamping blocks of electrical insulating material inserted in the clamping ends thereof forming lip members; resilient means disposed inwardly of and intermediate the ends of said jaw members serving to urge said jaws apart, separating said lip members; spaced electrical contacts insulatedly carried by said lip members at their respective opposite free ends; electrically insulated beds carried by said lip members in direct opposition to the respective electrical contacts, whereby terminals of a utility circuit may be gripped by hand manipulation of said device, making individual electrical contact with the respective electrical contacts of said lip members; and means for connecting electricity supply leads to the respective electrical contacts.

MAHLON A. HAMILTON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,030,036 Waage June 18, 1912 1,169,314 Zannoth et a1. Jan. 25, 1926 1,651,294 Rumore Nov. 29, 1927 1,923,901 Winkle Aug. 22, 1933 1,954,252 Maus et a1, Apr, 10, 1934 

